A/HRC/16/7 54. Canada welcomed significant progress made by the Maldives in the protection of human rights and implementation of governance reforms since the country’s 2008 election. While welcoming efforts to address gender equality and congratulating the Government for its efforts to promote human rights internationally, particularly human rights and climate change, Canada expressed the belief that more efforts should be dedicated to promoting and protecting freedom of religion and belief and to putting an end to such practices as flogging, and requested information about how that could be achieved. Canada made recommendations. 55. The Netherlands referred to the challenges remaining in the area of justice, and expressed concern at reports of a high incidence of child abuse. It referred to the issue of discrimination and violence against women and girls. The Netherlands made recommendations. 56. Germany asked whether Maldives intended to follow up on the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding discrimination in law faced by children born out of wedlock and the issue of birth registration. It also asked whether Maldives was considering ratifying the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Optional Protocol thereto. Germany made a recommendation. 57. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya expressed appreciation for efforts to improve the standard of living and to provide health care and social services for all. It welcomed the efforts to address discrimination against women. It expressed the hope that Maldives would request cooperation with States responsible for the major part of greenhouse emissions. It made a recommendation. 58. Bangladesh noted the considerable progress made in poverty reduction, education and health, although the national report acknowledged that women had faced discrimination. It also noted that a large portion of the population was susceptible to external shocks and that many challenges were faced by the country owing to climate change, which had resulted in responsibilities for the international community. Bangladesh made recommendations. 59. Hungary noted with satisfaction the new Constitution and the transparent conduct of the multi-candidate elections. It referred to migrant workers’ rights and to Maldives’ reservations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It requested information regarding the future implementation of universal periodic review recommendations, particularly with regard to the inclusion of civil society in the process. Hungary made recommendations. 60. Brazil commended Maldives for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. It expressed concern at discrimination and violence against women, impunity for torture, the marginalization of persons with disabilities, the lack of child protection mechanisms, and the absence of freedom of religion or belief. It also asked what measures were being considered to prevent discrimination based on religion. Brazil made recommendations. 61. Slovakia valued Maldives’ commitment to children’s rights and praised the new gender mainstreaming policy. It noted that the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief had observed that the new Constitution granted citizenship only to Muslims. It also noted limitations on the right of migrant workers and foreigners to manifest their religious beliefs. Slovakia made recommendations. 62. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland applauded the commitment to accede to the Rome Statute and encouraged Maldives to curb the growth of radicalization while maintaining the right to freedom of belief. It expressed concern, and asked a question about persons beloning to potentially vulnerable groups. It underlined the 9